The rest of that evening went by in a blur. The shock was making me numb. I wasn't sure I would be able to get out of that state until a couple of officers arrived at our front door.

They gave us the rundown on what happened at Sunshine Valley Center. Apparently, a short circuit due to an overload of current flow produced the fire inside one of the classrooms. It spread quickly across the room. At the time, most kids, camp leaders, and volunteers were outside on one of the fields playing water games. A headcount was made and it came down with three people missing: a volunteer and two children, including Kimi.

Unknown Missing. They explained that the process required certain steps and believed there was still not enough information to determine exactly what may have happened to the three missing people. They hoped to start a preliminary investigation that required interviewing the people at the scene and the families of the missing and that this would lead them to find them.

My brain grasped all it could, collecting information on how the whole process worked. As I tried to process all that, I studied Marjorie's expression, then Rohan's. She looked destroyed, nervous, rattled and I hadn't seen Rohan's face show as much concern as at that moment.

"The next twenty-four hours are crucial. We have officers interviewing people at SVC right now," one of the officers said. He was big, muscular, and bald. His jaw flexed as he looked from Marjorie to Rohan. His eyes were soft like he was trying hard to not show too much emotion, but I could see the worry there. The tag on his shirt said his last name was Cruz.

"We would like to speak to you, Mrs. Allen," he continued.

"Uh, sure. Of course," she nodded visibly upset. Her hand reaching to lace her fingers with Rohan's.

I saw Officer Cruz's eyes catch the movement.

"Alone, to be more precise. Although we will speak to you too... Mr. Allen?" He said carefully, considering.

"Glover actually. It's Mr. Glover." Rohan corrected him. "But yes, of course. Anything to help us find our Kimi."

"I see. Very well. Officer Harris will speak to you Mr. Glover." he nodded, understanding.

The other policeman led Rohan into our dining room to speak with him privately. I was sitting on a couch, my feet crossed under me as I cradled myself. My Mom sat on an armchair across from me holding my Dad's hand that rested on her shoulder. Their faces were full of worry.

"I kindly ask the rest of you to give me and Mrs. Allen a moment alone," he said to us. I looked up and his eyes met mine. I felt like he was analyzing me. "What's your name?" He asked me.

"Kerri-Ann," I answered.

"How are you feeling, Kerri-Ann?"

I gulped, aware of the dryness in my mouth. What seemed like an eternity passed before I was able to say anything. "I'm not sure. I just want to see Kimi."

"We all do," his lips pursed as he nodded at me. His eyes were searching mine and I couldn't understand it. I didn't even notice my parents had walked around to where I was and were signaling me to leave the room with them.

I broke eye contact with Cruz and followed my parents to the back terrace. We sat down and waited.

They sat together on the swing, holding each other, as I leaned on the railing near the terrace sliding door. My mother spoke to Dad about her concern and he held her tighter, kissing her forehead. I felt a frown on my lips as I saw them and tried to put myself in the shoes of any parent feeling the uncertainty and fear of losing a child. It must be unbearable. 

After a while, Officer Cruz came out to the terrace.

"We are done with Mrs. Allen and Mr. Glover," he said.

My father stood up, "Do you need to speak to us too?" he asked.

"That won't be necessary yet, but if you come across any information, please contact me," Cruz said, his eyes found mine as he extended his card towards me.

Dad answered for us, "Sure thing, Officer."

Cruz nodded at the three of us and tried smiling gently. Suddenly, the radio hanging from his shoulder buzzed. "We've got an unattended child at Sunshine Playground. Nearest patrols please report to location." My eyes grew bigger than I thought possible as my feet shuffled under me, a sudden anxiety building inside me. 

Officer Harris jogged to the sliding door. "Cruz, did you get that?" 

In the following moment, Cruz responded to the call and informed he and Harris were on their way, as they both turned on the balls of their feet and ran to cross the house. 

My feet responded the same way, but instead, I ran farther outside into the backyard and around the house. My strides were longer than ever in my life and my thoughts were even louder. How could I have not thought of it? That's the park where Kimi and I always go to. She must have ended up there, scared. So involved in my thoughts, I didn't notice me barging into someone's chest. 

Paxton.

"Kerri? Where are you running off to? Are you okay? What's --" his words came like a tsunami while he held me by the shoulders.

The front door of my house burst open as the Officers came running outside. My parents, Marjorie and Rohan were right behind them. 

"No time!" I yelled involuntarily and continued running, looking back for just a glimpse.

"Please, stay here. If we find out something we will come to you," I heard Cruz raise his voice towards the entrance door behind me as he got to his patrol car. He looked my way for just a millisecond, his lips parting as if to say something. 

"KERRI-ANN?!" I heard my Dad's voice call me as I turned around, focusing on the path ahead.